Our History in the Advertiser

Redditch Community Gospel Choir on look out for members
12:37pm Tuesday 9th March 2010 in Advertiser News. A New community group is on the hunt for keen musical enthusiasts to help form a Redditch Community Gospel Choir.
Anyone from 16 upwards is welcome to join the choir, and the organisers are keen to find male and female singers from Soprano to Bass, or even newcomers who are eager to take part, but unsure of their pitch.
In addition the choir is also looking to include musicians and they are searching for electric and acoustic guitarists, drummers, percussionists, keyboard players, saxophonists and bass guitarists.
Currently the project is in its infancy, until it’s clear how much interest there is, but anyone who would like to join the choir can visit www.redditchcommunitygospelchoir.co.uk and register their interest.

Redditch’s Caribbean Fun Day a huge success
9:10am Sunday 8th August 2010 in Advertiser News . Months of planning and preparation paid off when a Redditch Caribbean fun day was held on Saturday, July 31 at HDA social club in Cherry Tree Walk, Batchley.
More than 1,000 flocked to the field for the cultural celebration which featured gift and craft stalls, a cricket match, live entertainment including a reggae band, Redditch Community Gospel choir, agencies and organisations such as The Co-operative, West Mercia Police, Worcestershire Mental Health, Stroke Association, Surestart, the fire service, Kingfisher FM, Arts In Redditch, face painting, quad bikes, fun rides, a raffle and more.
Stands selling flavoursome Caribbean dishes such as jerk chicken, pork, rice and peas were also present to keep hungry revellers happy.
The event was opened by the mayor of Redditch, Kath Banks, who commented on the success of the group.
Redditch MP Karen Lumley was also in attendance, as were various town councillors.
The event was organised by community group Caribbean Roots Connection (CRC), and had backing from the Co-operative membership group, which donated to the event, along with Worcestershire County Council, Action Sports and Mettis Aerospace club (HDA) and Redditch Council.
CRC chairman Veronica Allen said: “It was a fantastic day and enjoyed by everyone who attended. It had real community spirit and people had the opportunity to meet up with people they haven’t seen for many years.
“It was great to see people from all sections of the community and further afield united, sampling the different Caribbean food and enjoying the entertainments.”
The celebration ended with a dance in the evening with DJ Bigga, from CRC, and Tony Brannon from Kingfisher FM radio.
Veronica added: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank the HDA for allowing us to hold the event and for all its help and support.”

Festival of arts draws to a close in Redditch
1:47pm Wednesday 15th September 2010 in News Redditch Advertiser:

Airfest

Redditch town centre will be alive with the arts on Sunday, September 26 as airfest 2010 draws to a close.
The lively event runs from 10am to 10pm across the town centre. It will feature arts-related activities and a selection of stalls plus performances from a variety of bands, choirs, dancers and singers.
Activities will take place on a main stage in the Alcester Street area, on the bandstand in Church Green and in the market.
Some of the many participants in the event include Redditch Gospel Community Choir, Arrow Vale Singers, the Redditch Chinese Association, Sugar Mama, Cherish and Victory Beat.
The event has been organised by AiR (Arts in Redditch) and involves several organisations such as Redditch Council, Kingsley College, Kingfisher FM and FLAIR.
Airfest 2010 has also involved the FLAIR Variety Show at Kingsley College and AiR FM, an arts-based station staffed by volunteers which is broadcasting until Friday, September 24 on 87.7FM.
Jan Higgitt, the chair of the AiR Partnership, said: “I would like to thank all the volunteers who have helped to make AiR FM and airfest 2010 such a success.
“There is an astounding amount of artistic talent here in the town and I hope we have managed to shine a spotlight on it through the festival.”

Celebrate Black History Month in Redditch
1:30pm Sunday 3rd October 2010 in Advertiser What’s On. Everyone in Redditch is invited to celebrate Black History Month in Redditch at an event being organised by a town community group.
The event is being hosted by Caribbean Roots Connection (CRC) in Redditch Youth House, in Ipsley Street, on October 23 from 1-6pm.
One of the main features will be the launch of a DVD entitled The Journey of Hope, with people from the Caribbean sharing their experiences.
There will also be various performances from groups such as the Redditch Community Gospel Choir and there will be singing, dancing, cultural stalls, face painting, an arts and craft workshop and plenty of fun activties for children and young people.
There is no admission charge for the event, which is being funded by Redditch Council through Redditch Arts Council and supported by Worcestershire County Council and Youthworcs.

Annual Holocaust Memorial Day
1:10pm Thursday 2nd February 2012 in Advertiser News.
Annual Holocaust Memorial Day commemorations have been hailed as a great success after a survivor spoke out at the event.
Holocaust survivor Simon Winston held a talk with more than 50 people at the town’s Ecumenical Centre, marking the theme for this year of ‘Speak Up, Speak Out’ to help prevent such horrors ever occurring again.
Leading up to Mr Winston’s talk, a ceremony was held at the Holocaust memorial marker on Church Green, followed by a procession to Worcester Square in the Kingfisher Shopping Centre where music by the Redditch Community Gospel Choir and readings were followed by a public ‘Act of Commitment’.